It has been a while since I posted.... It is odd because I created this blog to keep friends and family updated on my treatment. For the most part, that is over and so I have not been posting updates. But we've had a small bump in the road -- my infection is back.
Earlier this month my oncologist said he was not as worried about the cancer as he was about the infection "coming back." He warned me what to watch for, and sure enough, on the day that I was to see another doctor anyway, I had just the symptoms we discussed. After a culture of the wound, it was confirmed that the infection is back.
Yesterday I drove to Detroit to see my infectious disease doctor. She is convinced that the infection is localized to the wound, that it never really all went away, but that oral antibiotics are sufficient to treat it. If the wound heals completely, then we know the infection is gone. If not, the next course of treatment would be to surgically remove tissue from the wound, in hopes of getting all the infection. (Sounds oddly close to cancer treatment, if you ask me).
I have to watch for fever and/or chills. That is a sign that the bacteria is on the move and that more urgent treatment is needed (think Emergency Room). I've been feeling fine, so I am not worried. My immune system is stronger than in October, and my doc has a plan of attack. God willing, this stupid wound will heal, stay healed, and I'll be back on track to good health.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Last Update for a While?
Good news from my Beaumont oncologist yesterday -- all of my blood components are back in the "normal" range! That confirms that my body reacted badly to the chemotherapy (bad news) but that it is bouncing back (and maintaining) on it's own (excellent news!).
And with that, I move from being a cancer patient back to being a cancer survivor.... I'll have check-ups every three months, and also a bone scan, CT scan and breast MRI in the spring.
The hardest thing for me will be to "exhale" and relax between now and those scans.
My mantra is to tell myself, "Everything is fine today. Enjoy. Tomorrow will take care of itself." That kind of mindset is easier said than done, but it is something I am determined to pull off. Prayer, meditation, housekeeping, good diet, exercise -- all things that I believe will foster an "internal calm." Today, post-Christmas clutter, I am working on the housekeeping aspect! :)
Many folks have suggested a celebration because my treatment is finished.... To be honest, I'd rather just "exhale" and move on with my daily activities. Cancer has become a way of life at our house, not really something with a beginning or an end. It will be a long time before anyone in my family will be confident enough that the cancer is gone to "celebrate." So, lets just help each other remember to laugh and smile and celebrate each day. Our family needs that, and probably to some degree, so do you!
Thank you all for your prayers and cards and meals and gifts and good wishes and... This has been a very hard year, but I am lucky to have my health again and to have the love and support of so many friends and family. God bless each of you!
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God every time I remember you.
In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:2-6
And with that, I move from being a cancer patient back to being a cancer survivor.... I'll have check-ups every three months, and also a bone scan, CT scan and breast MRI in the spring.
The hardest thing for me will be to "exhale" and relax between now and those scans.
My mantra is to tell myself, "Everything is fine today. Enjoy. Tomorrow will take care of itself." That kind of mindset is easier said than done, but it is something I am determined to pull off. Prayer, meditation, housekeeping, good diet, exercise -- all things that I believe will foster an "internal calm." Today, post-Christmas clutter, I am working on the housekeeping aspect! :)
Many folks have suggested a celebration because my treatment is finished.... To be honest, I'd rather just "exhale" and move on with my daily activities. Cancer has become a way of life at our house, not really something with a beginning or an end. It will be a long time before anyone in my family will be confident enough that the cancer is gone to "celebrate." So, lets just help each other remember to laugh and smile and celebrate each day. Our family needs that, and probably to some degree, so do you!
Thank you all for your prayers and cards and meals and gifts and good wishes and... This has been a very hard year, but I am lucky to have my health again and to have the love and support of so many friends and family. God bless each of you!
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God every time I remember you.
In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:2-6
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